News

Springfield Area Unemployment Drops

The Illinois Department of Employment Security Director says it appears the Springfield economy is turning the corner.

Jay Rowell says the area’s unemployment has dropped to its lowest level in six years and says more than 2-thousand jobs were added in the past month.

“Construction is defintely up, so is education and healthcare. Retail trade was as well, so is leisure and hospitality. It is across the board. The greatest drag, not only in Springfield but across the state, with jobs declining in the government sector.

The Springfield area’s unemployment rate is 5.7%, among the lowest in the state and, is now below the national rate of nearly 6%.